Nuu-chah-nulth Reclaiming Sea Resources The Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Litigation is that are important to their fisheries interests. moving ahead with a two-phase approach The goal of the Litigation Steering Committee and a new time frame. On July 31st, Madame (the Ha’wiih or elected Chiefs of the 11 Nations Justice Garson ruled that only Nuu-chah- participating in the Litigation) is to resolve all nulth Nations that do not have overlapping existing overlaps as soon as possible so that all title claims can proceed in the next phase of 11 Nations can continue in the next phase of the trial. Justice Garson’s decision set in the Fisheries Litigation. motion an accelerated series of meetings • 1998: Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, and modern day agreements between “These agreements are huge, a real example lead by their Ha’wiih and elected Nations to resolve many of the outstanding of mamookwin, working with one another” leaders, instruct the preparation overlaps. In most cases, the overlaps are at said an elated Michelle Corfield, NTC Vice of litigation to support Nuu-chah- the edges of the Nation’s core territories. President. “It is a major accomplishment for nulth title and rights to make a The Ha’wiih, Chiefs and Councils, our Nations, for continuing in the Fisheries living from Nuu-chah-nulth sea elders, and other advisors are working Litigation together and for other important resources hard to create solutions for the good matters like treaty agreements and economic • June 13, 2003: Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Litigation Writ of Summons is filed “We have powerful abilities to advance our • December 16, 2003: Statement of Claim filed interests by working together.” A-in-chut (Shawn Atleo) • April 2005: The government of filed its statement of of their communities and future development opportunities that need this kind defence generations, while respecting of certainty. All Nuu-chah-nulth • December 2005: The government their histories and honouring have invested huge amounts of time and money of filed their past agreements and sacrifices to prove our right to earn a living from our sea statement of defence that had established known resources. It is exciting to see that the Nations • April 24, 2006: First day of trial in boundaries. can find solutions to complex problems to continue together in the litigation.” • May 1 – 3, 2006: trial held in The agreements reached Ahousaht, within Nuu-chah-nulth between the Nations have been At a recent First Nations Leadership Council territory recognized and celebrated meeting discussing fisheries policy in British • May 16, 2006: trial adjourned by through songs, hand-shakes, Columbia, Shawn Atleo told the delegates, prior agreement of Nuu-chah- and written agreements. By “We have powerful abilities to advance our nulth, Canada, and B.C. mid-September the following interests by working together.” Nuu-chah- • July 31, 2007: Madame Justice Nations have reached nulth leaders are demonstrating this by sitting Garson’s rules that only Nations agreement: down with each other and settling overlapping without overlapping title areas can • Hesquiaht and Mowachaht/ title areas so that the Nations can continue the proceed in next phase of trial Muchalaht fisheries litigation with the collective power of • November 20, 2007: Deadline to • Ahousaht and Hesquiaht 11 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. resolve remaining overlaps • Tla-o-qui-aht and Ucluelet • February 4, 2008: Trial resumes www.uuathluk.ca • Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have always sustained their communities through the commercial The other Nations are continuing and home-use of sea resources. The health of to meet and work to resolve their Nuu-chah-nulth communities is dependent on overlapping title the access to sea resources for wealth, culture, a r e a s and food. By working together and supporting the Nuu-chah-nulth Fisheries Litigation Nuu- chah-nulth Nations are taking steps to reassert control over their economic and social future.

NTC Fisheries

Taking Care Of